Sunday, January 24th - Kruger Park to Beitbridge, South Africa

We were up at 3:15 a.m. To go for a morning game drive at 4:00.  It was dark at the start obviously so we used the spot lights again as in the night drive.  Then we were treated to a gradual lighting and a lovely but muted sunrise, and then brilliant sunshine with a few clouds.

The drive was good but we certainly didn't see as many animals as on our first morning drive.  We've now come to realize that our first drive really was quite incredible.  Anyway, this morning we saw rabbits, a little rabbit type animal they call the African kangaroo and you could certainly see why, tortoises, kudus, impalas, some small cats (Genet, Sivet or something), elephants including a very young one (probably less than a month according to the guide), bush bucks, springbok, giraffe, hippos, zebra, heron and other birds and even more that I can't remember.  It's amazing how relaxing and yet busy it is on the drives and you think you will remember everything because it is so new and exciting, but when you get back you don't remember even a fraction of it.  Maybe I should keep a note pad with e on the drives so I can record what I'm seeing.  That might also help me identify the animals and birds because right now I'm not sure I will be able to do it.  Anyway, the drive was good but we only saw one of the big five - the elephant.  The buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard were no where to be seen.

We got back at 7:00 and had some time to shower and get organized before breakfast at 8:00.  Our check-out and departure was to be at 9:00 but because restaurant was so slow we didn't get away until almost 10:00.  We were supposed to arrive at our next hotel about 2 in the afternoon so we had time to spare anyway.  Well, that was the plan.  

Before leaving the resort I should mention that the monkeys there were very cute and quite mischievous.  There were lots of warnings around and it was easy to see why.  They got into the garbage and would spend hours fighting over and cleaning out every last remnant of food from a take-away bowl or cup.  They definitely looked funny when several of them were sitting around with their faces stuck in different containers / packaging.  And if they didn't guard their treasure carefully, another one would run by and steal it away.  They were fun to watch but definitely made a mess. 

We drove for several hours to get out of Kruger National Park.  Along the way we were of course looking for animals.  We saw a lot of them but nothing new or different from what we'd seen before and only a couple worth stopping for.  One stop was for a herd of elephants that were crossing the road.  We didn't argue with them.  In fact we just sat back and watched while they lumbered across.  And one of them was absolutely huge and obviously old.  Even the guide had to say it was probably the largest elephant he had ever seen.  The rest of the sightings were the usual and ranged from small little tortoises crossing the road (much slower than the elephants!) to very fast impalas running along the side of the road to stately giraffes munching on leaves at the tops of the trees to large cape Buffalo wallowing in a muddy waterhole with just their head out of the water.   No two scenes or drives are ever the same, which is why I love going on these excursions over and over again.

Once outside the park we had another several hours to drive before reaching Beitbridge, our destination.  The views along the way were amazing.  At first it was the same as the park being basically flat and dry with small trees and bushes, and even some occasional animals.  Then we got into an agricultural area that looked very productive.  There was irrigation in some places and the rivers and lakes actually had water in them - unlike in the park where most of the streams were totally dry and there was very little water anywhere.  We thought the views were great there with the rolling hills in the background but it got even better.

Later on there were higher hills and mountains and the land very lush and green - almost like a rain forest in places with thick vegetation and undergrowth.  The farms in the area looked very productive and there were also many orchard.  This is a big fruit growing area with peaches, avocados, bananas, tea, etc.  We stopped at a fruit stand for our last break but it was nothing compared to our fruit stands.  In fact, the simple ones along the roadside would have been better.  However, they don't usually have the "facilities" we needed at our stop,

Our earlier stop had been at another resort just before we left the park.  It had a great view of the river below and some lovely small deer of some kind (don't know the name) in the yard.  It also had an elephant museum which was very informative.  We didn't have a lot of time to study the exhibits but some of them looked very interesting.  It covered the history of the elephant and its interaction with humans, including poaching for ivory, as well as biological information and general statistics.  It also went into detail on the tusks and what they are used for and how long they are.  They even had some of the largest on display with the details about the elephant's life (where they came from, birth and death dates, family details, personality, length and weight of tusks, etc.)  It would have been nice to have had more time but that was not to be.

The final pass between Beitbridge and our resort went from 950 metres to 1290 metres and back down again in less than 15 km.  The pass provided wonderful views but few pictures since the bushes along the side of the road were too high.  When we turned off the main road we followed a single path for about 5 km.  And we drove very slowly because it was so narrow and very bumpy.  We wondered how this part would go if you had a bigger bus or if it were raining and muddy (currently just a dirt road).  However, the drive was worth it.  

The resort is in a small valley and totally surrounded by high hills.  By the time we arrived about 5:30 (yes, much later than expected) the sun was already behind the hill tops and everything was in the shade.  However, it was still really nice.  The reception area has a nice seating area and shop and the dining room is very large and join on to the bar.  There is a loft above the reception area for TV viewing and games.  There are out door seating areas in several places and a pool area.  The rooms are octagonal chalets with thatched roofs.  They too have outdoor seating areas.  The grounds are actually a game reserve and there are walking trails in places.  Unfortunately since we were so late and it was getting dark, we didn't get to do any hiking.  I don't know what kind of animals they have but it was the monkeys and baboons who greeted us.  Unfortunately there are no screens on the windows so we had to keep them closed.  WE could have open them again after dark as the monkeys would then be asleep.  I was okay with that until the receptionist said something like, "I can't guarantee the snakes won't crawl in though."

Dinner was an excellent three-course meal.  I wasn't very hungry but had something anyway.  Shortly thereafter I went back to the room and called it a night.  I'm just not used to getting up at 3 in the morning.  And tomorrow is early too as we have to have bags out and get down for breakfast at by 6:30.  These early mornings may do me in!!!